Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 12th November 2005
Score: 58 - 0
Canvey went into this potentially tricky Essex 1 match intent on securing a victory which would maintain pressure on league leaders Upminster, and get them back to winning ways after suffering a comprehensive defeat in the Powergen cup to a strong Old Paulines side last Saturday.
Canvey were almost back to full strength, with only 4 regular 1st team squad members, Jay Bedford (holiday), Barry Dennis (injury), Luke Smith (mumps) and Dave Gillespie (suspended) still unavailable. Canvey welcomed back former coach Jamie 'BA' Saunders from a rib injury, after a storming game against Southend 2's on Monday night, he found himself back where he belongs in the starting line up. Josh 'Nosh' Campagna was on the bench and John Breading was reinstated at No.10, after both recovering from the Mumps. The home side went into this clash in a confident mood.
This confidence was justified as Canvey dominated from the kick off, scoring in the 1st five minutes something that has become a welcome habit for the Islanders during the past few weeks. Dave Dennis was the try scorer as the islanders began to click into gear. Minutes later, Fly half John Breading produced a Wilkinsonesque moment of brilliance with a cross field kick which eluded the Upper Clapton defence and was gathered by veteran winger Jason Carter to score the Islanders 2nd try.
Canvey were really flying now, with the pack asserting themselves against larger opposition, securing quality ball at line outs and scrums and Jamie 'Shaggy' Breading proving to be a real nuisance to the opposition all afternoon. It was his pass that found winger John Campion, who was able to draw in his marker and hit centre Alex Breading on the overlap who went on to touch down for Canvey's 3rd. Canvey's forward dominance was the foundation of an ever expanding score line during the 1st half. Jamie Breading was there again, picking up at No.8 before starting off on a jinking run that took him passed the oppositions static defence, diving over to score. Next to get in on the act was inside centre Kevin Cooper, latching on to another well placed kick from fly half John Breading, before galloping away for another try. More pressure was mounted from the home side and Alex Breading exploited more holes in upper Clapton's defence going over for his second of the afternoon after a well worked backs move. Not to be out done Fullback Dave Dennis hit the gain line at pace to get his second. Brett Smith made his presence felt during the half, with a try of his own and a penalty kick. In all Canvey weighed in with 8 tries in the first 40mins giving the Islanders a convincing half time lead.
Canvey began the 2nd half intent on piling the points onto a shell shocked Upper Clapton, with Captain Darren ' Birdseye ' Smith urging his troops to continue the fantastic play from the 1st half. As is so often the case in these situations, this proved to be difficult. The Visitors showed much more resolve in the 2nd period proving that they are no pushovers. Canvey suffered as hooker Darren Smith left the pitch due to a thigh injury and points proved hard to come by.
The home side livened things up by introducing 3 substitutions, Arron Sultana, Josh Campagna and Luke Burder all making an appearance. The second half stalemate was broken in stirring fashion. A great passage of play with forwards and backs interchanging, keeping the ball alive, saw the irresistible force that is Jamie Saunders score on his return, as he crashed over from close range. Brett Smith duly converted.
Despite an improved effort from the visitors, they never looked capable of breaching the Canvey defence, and it was the men from the island who concluded the day's efforts with another try from flanker Brett Smith, gathering a kick ahead to pounce over the line - again Smith converted.
This was an impressive performance from the Islanders, who now move up to Second place in the league and go into next weeks crunch Essex cup game against Billericay, with an extra spring in their step. Billericay made the most of their weekend off, with a scouting mission on the Islanders in view of next weeks game.
Man of the match: Jamie Breading
